Suspected potato thief arrested in supermarket

Muncy, Pa. — A man allegedly wrote on a drugstore window, stole a hanging plant and took a bag of potatoes from a local supermarket.

Thomas Dwight Howe, 34, of Elizabethtown, arrived at Weis Market in Muncy in late May with a Redd’s Wicked alcoholic beverage in his hand, according to Officer Taylor Arnold. Howe then left his drink on the ledge outside the building before entering the store.

Howe entered the store and brought a bag of bulk potatoes and a loaf of bread to the self-checkout, looked around and left with the potatoes, Arnold wrote.

Howe allegedly walked past the pharmacy on his way out, stopping to write on the window a second time, according to the complaint. The pharmacy had a sign in the window explaining that it was closed due to staff shortages, Arnold wrote in the affidavit.

According to Arnold, Howe’s visit to the store was captured on a surveillance camera provided to investigators. Howe allegedly wrote on the pharmacy window: “You could pay people who do something more if… you… get rid of managers who don’t do anything… too many chiefs and not enough Indians.”

Howe retrieved his drink before getting back into his truck and driving to the back of the building, Arnold said. Howe allegedly grabbed a hanging flower stand before driving away.

Howe is charged with theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief, commercial theft and public intoxication. He is expected to appear for a preliminary hearing in early August.

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